Variable-speed transmission gearing for tractors



' Apwifl 15 1924., 1,49%37 J. B. FOQTE VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSIONGEARING FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. 17. 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 h fnvaz /iafxM MW/ 5, -J/ fi at A E 1s 19240 mama J. B. FOOTE VARIABLE SPEEDTRANSMISSION GEARING FOR TRACTORS' Filed g- 17 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 3April 15 E9240 7 v J. B. FOOTE VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEARING FORTRACTORS I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 17. 1917 Aprifl 115 1924.7 1,49%374 J.B. FOOTE VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEARING FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. 171917 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 till tit

= I T. RWIN ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID B. FOOTE, DECEASED.

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Applicationflled August 17, 1917. Serial No. 186,677.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that 1, JOHN B. Foo'rn, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Variable-SpeedTransmission Gearing for Tractors, of which the following is a full,clear,v and exact description.

The invention relates to variable speed transmission gearing fortractors.

One object of the invention is to provide improved drivin mechanismwhich may be adapted for di erent tractors or to drive the tractionwheels at difierent ratios relatively to the speed of the engine bysimple gear changes that can be readily made in the field or on theroad. In practice, it sometimes occurs that in pulling the plows orother loads the nature of the soil is such as to impose excessiveburdens upon the engine and in= these instances, aside from the speedvariation permitted by the variable speed mechanism, it. has been founddesirable to vary the speed ratio between the engine and the variablespeed mechanism, so that the ratio of all of the speeds to the motorwill bechanged to specially adapt the tractor for the temporarilyexcessive load or particular work.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved variable speeddrig mechanism which is'constructed so that it can be readily applied toengines rotating in different directions by simple reversal of one ofthe bevelled gears.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved variablespeed mechanism which is simple in constructlon.

Other objects of the invention will. appear from the fallowingdescriptlon.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

lln the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan, parts being shown in section, of atractor embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sec tion taken online 2-2 of Fig. 1.- Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3=3 ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4: of Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the gear-case, parts being shown insection. Fig. 6 is a section taken on line a e of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is adetail perspective of the devices for controlling the igh-speed drivingmechanism.

The variable speed and diiferential gearing is illustrated as applied toa pair of coaxial traction wheels F. Each tractionwheel is driventhrough one of a pair of coaxial axle-members f. Each axle member f issupported in and connected to drive one of the traction-wheels by meansof a spider f having a hub f which is fixed to the end of the axlemember and fits in the hub of the traction-wheel. Each axlemember fpasses through bearings f in a sleeve a formed on a case or housing Awhich'encloses the variable speed and differential gearing.

The diflerential gearing through which the axle is driven comprises adrum l0 having hubs 11 which are journalled in bearmgs 12, planetarybevelled pinions 13 mounted on radial arbors 14 in the drum and bevelledgears 15 which mesh with the pinions 13 and operate inions 19 to drivethe axle members respectively through plan etary reducing gearing. Thehubs 16 of the gears 15 are mounted in the hubs 11 of the drum 10 andextend therethrough. A gear-rim 17 secured to the drum 10 by bolts 18,rives the difierential from the variable speed and reversible gearing.Pinlons 19 are integral with gears 15 re ectively and each meshes with aseries of p anetary gears 20. These planetary gears 20 are mounted onstuds 21 which are fixed in arms 22 inte ral with the inner ends of theaxle-members f. y The outer portions of each series of pinions 20 meshwith a stationaly internally toothed gear 23 which is fixed in a flangea of the gear-case and is integrally formed with one of the bearings 12.A spindle 24 has its ends extended into sockets at the inner ends ofaxle members 7 and extends through the hubs 16 which are integral withpinions l9 and gears 15. This spindle serves to hold the axle membersand the differential gearing in true alignment. The mechanism describedexemplifies planetary reducing gearing between the difierential gearingand the axle members for driving the tractionwheels respectively.

The variable speed driving mechanism is adapted to be driven from asuitable motor B through a clutch b which may be of any suitable or wellbrown construction. in

driven member of the clutch is connected 3 y to drive a longitudinalshaft 26, the rear end of which is provided with a bevelled pinion 27.Shaft 26 is mounted in a hea ing 28 in a shell 29 or housing which isformed to serve as an intermediate supporting connection between themotor-casmg and the gear-casing A. The front end of this shell 29 isflanged, as at 30, to abut against and for attachment to a correspondingflange on the casing of the motor B and bolts 32 secure the abuttingfront and rear faces of the case A and shell 29 together. A'plate 29' isremovably secured to the shell to provide access to the clutch.

This shell exemplifies a structure whereby the front of the gear-casemay be connected to and supported from the motor-casing. By changing theform or dimensions of this shell, it will lend itself for use as aconnection for motors which are differently placed with respect to thefront of the gear-case, thus adapting the mechanism for connection todifferently placed motors by mere modificationof the shell and withoutmodification of the gear-case.

The transmission gearing comprises a transverse shaft 33 which ismounted in bearings 34 which are suitably sustained in the sides of thegear-case A. A bevelled gear 35 is mounted to rotate with shaft 33 andmeshes with the drive-pinion 27 on the longitudinal shaft 26. A thrustbearing 37 is provided for the shaft 26 and a similar bearing 38 isprovided for the shaft 33 to relieve these shafts of endwise stressesresulting from the bevelled gear-wheels. One end of the shaft 33 isextended to project outwardly from the case and is. there provided witha service-pulley 39 which is adapted to drive a belt to operate anymechanism or implement other than the tractor itself. In practice, it isdesirable to standardize the variable speed. gearing so far as possibleto adapt it for application to different tractors and motors. In someinstances, the motors are driven in one direction and in ot er instancesthey are driven in the opposi e direction and in order to adapt thevariable speed gearing so that it can be driven in the correct directionby a motor operated in either direction, gear 35 and step-bearing 38 arereversible to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thisreversal without any other change whatsoever makes it possible toutilize the variable speed gearing with a motor which drives in eitherdirection. In attaining this result, the longitudinal shaft 26 ismedially disposed between the bearings 34 so that the thrust bearing andgear 35 will operate at either side of the pinion 27, and a key 33' onshaft 33- is extended so as to drive gear 35 in either of its positions.

The variable-speed gearing includes a ste m transverse countershaft 4,6and a second transverse countershaft 41. Shaft 40 is mounted in bearings42 which are supported in the sides of gear-case A. A low-speed pinion43 and an intermediate-speed pinion 44 which are integral, are slidablymounted on shaft 40 and a high-speed gear 45 is fixed on said shaft.Pmions 43 and 44 are connected to shaft 40 so they will be rotatedthereby and slidable thereon, to ermit the low-speed pinion 43 to be shid nto engagement with a gear-wheel 45' on the second countershaft 41 andso that the intermediate-speed pinion 44 maybe shifted in the oppositedirection into engagement with a gear wheel 46 which is also mounted onthe second countershaft 41. A gearwheel 47 is slidably mounted onthesecond countershaft 41 so that it can be shifted into engagement withthe high-speed car 45 on the shaft 40. Shaft 41 is mount in suitablebearings which are suitably supported by the wallsof case A. Shaft 41and gears 45' and 46 drive a pinion 56 which meshes with the gear 17 onthe differential drum 10. For simplicity in manufacture, the hub of thepinion 56' is extended into and fixed in the hubs of gears 45 and 46 sothat they may-be conjointly placed on the shaft 41 in assembling thestructure and so that when said shaft is withdrawn pinion 56 and gears45' and 46 will beheld together. 7

The connection between the countershaft 40 and shaft 33 consists of agear 50 which is removably connected to one end of the shaft 33 and agear 51 which is removably connected to the adjacent end of the shaftchange of speed ratio between the motor or the shaft 33 and thevariable-speed gearing so'that the ratio may 'be quickly adapted for theparticular work at hand. By removing the cover 52 and reversing thegears 50 and 51 on shafts 33 and 40, the speed ratio may be reduced orby the substitution of other gears may be further reduced or increasedas may be desired. This construction exemplifies one by which the oper--ator can, in the held, or on the road, efiect a simple change to varythe speed ratio between the motor and the variable speed pinionsrfordriving the load at all speeds.

A transverse shaft 57 (Figs. 2 and 4) is held in the side walls of thegear-case A bolts 53, to one side needs-re and a pair ofintegralreverse-gears 58 and 59 are slidably mounted on said shaft. Gear59 is adapted, when shifted from its normal position, to mesh with theintermediate speed pinion 44 and pinion 58 is adapted to mesh with thegear 46. This mechanism exemplifies reverse gearing between the 62engaging the hub of gear 47 and mounted on a rod 63 which is sustainedin the gear case A and an arm 64 en a ing and oper ating the arm 62 andslid hb y mounted on the shaft 61. The controlling mechanism ,for thereverse gearing comprises a fork shifter-arm 65 extended between pinions58 and 59 and slidably mounted on the shaft 61. All of thecontroller-arms are provided with grooves which are .normally alignedand into which the shifter arm 66 is 5 adapted to pass to shift any ofthe arms transversely. Arm 66 is fixed to a controller-shaft 67 which islongitudinally movable so the arm can be shifted into enga ement withany one of the shifter arms and can be rocked to shift any of the arms.Shaft 67 is mounted in a housing 69 which is mounted on the top (ofthegear-case A. The latter is provided with a removable plate 70 toprovide access to the interior of the ear-case. Locking arms 68 areprovided for the shifter arms which are not in use. The construction ofthese locking arms and arm 66 are more fully set forth in an applicationfiled by me July 16, 1917, Serial No. 180,7 50 to which reference may behad for a more detailed explanation thereof.

In operation, shaft 26 will, under control of the clutch b, be drivenfrom the engine. Whilst the clutch is operative, shaft 26 will drivegear 27 which will drive the gear-wheel 35, service shaft 33, gears 50and 51 and the first countershaft 40. The intermediate, low and highspeed pinions 43, 44 and 45 will be constantly driven. Any time that itshould be desired to change the speed ratio between the engine and thevariable speed driven pinions, it is only necessary tocorrespondinglyvary, by reversal or substitution, the ears 50 and 51. When the tractoris to e driven at low speed, the operator will shift the 'controller arm66 nto position to engage the groove in the forked shifter arm 60 to theleft, to bring pinior. 43 into mesh with the gear 45. Power will then betransmitted at low speed to the shaft 41, inion 56 and gear 17 on thedifi'erential rum. When the tractor is to be operated at intermediatespeed, the operator will manipulate the controller-arm 66 to shift theforked shifter-arm 60 to the right to bring pinion 44 into mesh withgear 46, whereupon shaft 41 and pinion 56 willbe driven to operate thedifferential at intermediate speeds. When it is desired to drive thetractor at high speed, the operator will shift-the controller arm 66into position to shift arms 64 and 62 inwardly to bring pinion 47 intomesh with the gear 45 whereupon shaft 41 and pinion 56 will be driven athigh speed to correspondingly drive the differential gearing. When thetractor is to be driven in reverse direction, controller arm 66 will bemanipulated to move the shifter-arm 65,

which extends between the reverse pinions 58 and 59, to the right sothat gear 58 will mesh with the gear 46 and gear 59 will mesh with theintermediate-speed pinion 44, whereupon shaft 41 and pinion 56 willdrive the differential gearing in reverse direction and at a low speed.

The invention exemplifies an improved variable speed driving mechanismfor tractors in which provision is made for simple variation of thespeed ratio between the motor and the shaft from which the variablespeed and reverse pinions are driven which will affect the at allspeeds. Also one in which planetary gearing of improved construction isutilized to drive the axle members of the tractionwheels at a reducedspeed with respect to the differential gearing. Also a eonstruction ofgear-case which can be utilized in tractors in which the traction-wheelsand motors are difierently positioned, relatively by variation of theshell at the front of the gear case. Also mechanism inwhich the properdirection of travel can be attained by reversal of a bevelled gear-wheelfrom motors driven in different directions.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In transmission gearing for tractors, the combination of-a case, aservice shaft mounted in the case, a longitudinal shaft, driven by themotor, gearing between said shafts, a first countershaft, gearingbetween the latter shaft and the service shaft, a second countershaft,high, low, intermediate and reverse gearing between the first and secondcountershafts, and gearing for driving a tractor from the secondcountershaft.

2. In variable speed transmission gearing for tractors, the combinationof a case, transverse shafts mounted in the case earing for driving oneof the shafts, sii able gearing for driving as 'and gearing for drivingthe tractor from the second shaft.

3. In variable speed transmission gearing for tractors, the combinationof a case, transverse shafts mounted in the case, aring for driving oneof the shafts, sli able low and intermediate and fixed high speedpinions on "said latter shaft, gears on the second shaft with which thelow and inter- 4 mediate s eed pinions are adapted to mesh and a sliable high speed gear on the "sec- 0nd shaft movable into engagement withthe fixed high speed pinion on the first shaftand gearing for drivingthe tractor from the second shaft, comprising a pinion on the secondshaft connected to rotate with the .low and intermediate gears thereon.

4. In variable speed transmission gearing for tractors, the combinationof a case, transverse shafts mounted in the case, gearing for drivingone of the shafts, low, intermediate and high speed pinions on saidlatter shaft, gears on the second shaft with which the low, intermediateand high speed pinions are adapted'to mesh, gearing enclosed in the casefor driving the tractor from the second shaft, and reverse gearingcomprising pinions movable into engagement with the intermediate speedpinion and agear on the shafts respectively.

5. In variable speed transmission gearing for tractors, the combinationof a case, transverse shafts mounted in the case, gearing for drivingone of the shafts, slidable low' and intermediate and fixed high speedpinions on said latter shaft, fixed gears on the second shaft with whichthe low and intermediate speed pinions are adapted to mesh,a slidablehigh speed gear on the second shaft movable into engagement with thefixed high speed pinion on the first shaft, gearing for driving thetractor from the second shaft, and reverse gearing comprisin pinionsmovable into engagement with tie 1ntermediatc speed pinion and a gear onthe ing, and reverse gearing comprising slidable integralpinio'ns'movable into engagement with the intermediate speed plnion anda gear on the shafts respectively.

'JOHN B. FOOTE.

